What's New

  • 2013/5/17The following study will be presented in ASM2013 (Denver, Colorado, May 18-21, 2013).

    >Poster presentation
    Improvement of quantification of bacterial genetic markers by using a genetically-engineered strain of Escherichia coli as a process control
    Ayano Kobayashi, Daisuke Sano, Satoshi Ishii and Satoshi Okabe

    Conrefence details are here→ASM2013
  • 2013/5/1Dr. Tashiro takes the Tenure Track position of Assistant Professor of Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University since May 1st, 2013.
  • 2013/4/18Eight new students have joined.
  • 2013/4/3Lecture materials for Water and Public Health are posted. >>here
  • 2013/3/8The following study will be presented in the 47th Joint Working Conference on Immunology and Viral Diseases, US-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program (Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Singapore, March 12th-13th, 2013).

    A hidden relationship between norovirus and enteric bacteria: norovirus exploits histo-blood group antigen-like substances on bacterial cells for its better survival in nature?
    Sano, D., Miura, T., Yoshimura, T., Fuzawa, M., Nakagomi, T., Nakagomi, O., and Okabe, S.

    Conrefence details are here→47th Joint Working Conference on Immunology and Viral Diseases
    FINISHED
  • 2013/3/1The following study will be presented in the 3rd Young Professors and Students Symposium, NSFC-JST Joint Research Program (Xi'an, China , March 7th, 2013).

    Simultaneous quantification of multiple waterborne pathogens by use of microfluidic quantitative PCR
    Ishii, S., Segawa, T., and Okabe, S.

    Direct quantification of pathogens in natural and irrigation water samples for risk assessment
    Nakamura, T., Ishii, S., and Okabe, S.

    Towards mechanistic understanding of anaerobic nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation
    Jokai, K., Ishii, S., and Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2013/1/29"BODIPY-based retiometric fluoroionophores with bidirectional spectral shifts for the selective recognition of heavy metal ions" written by Hafuka et al was selected as an excellent paper in Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, 2013, 86(1).

    北海道大学

  • 2013/1/22The following studies will be presented in the 16th International Symposium on Toxicity Assessment (Cape Town, South Africa, Feb. 21st-26th).

    Toxicity assessment of chlorinated treated wastewater by using toxicogenomics approach
    Fukushima, T., Miyoshi, T., Kimura, K., Watanabe, Y., and Okabe, S.

    Toxicogenomic-based water quality evaluation of reclaimed water: Potential effects of pharmaceutical residues in treated wastewater
    Nakashima, K., Hara-Yamamura, H., Asiful, H., Miyoshi, T., Kimura, K., Watanabe, Y., and Okabe, S.

    Conrefence details are here→ISTA16
    FINISHED
  • 2013/1/17The following study will be presented in the 2nd Water Research Conference, IWA (Singapore, Jan. 20th-23rd).

    Microsensor measurements of nitrous oxide and nitric oxide production rates in partial nitrification and anammox granules
    Rathnayake, R. M. L. D., Satoh, H., Takahashi, M., and Okabe, S.

    Conference details are here→The 2nd Water Research Conference
    FINISHED
  • 2013/1/16The following study will be presented in Global Leadership Initiative Special Workshop on Water Virology (Parkside Hotel Ueno, Tokyo, Jan. 19th).

    Performance target of enteric virus removal with MBR
    Sano, D., Miura, T., and Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2013/1/15Dr. Mamoru Oshiki (JSPS Research Fellow) left for Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Netherlands.
  • 2012/12/27Mr. Nakashima and Mr. Ozawa were honored (runner-up and third place, respectively) in the mid-term research presentation contest 2012 of Water-related laboratories. Congratulations!!!
  • 2012/12/5The following study will be presented in Biofilms 5 (Paris, Dec. 10-12, 2012).

    Bacteriophage resistant mechanisms of mature Escherichia coli biofilms
    May, T., Tsuruta, K., and Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2012/11/30Ms. Tazawa was honored (Excellent Poster Award) in the 49th Environmental Engineering Research Forum.
  • 2012/11/24Interview to Assoc. Prof. Sano in GiFT2012 has been delivered in YouTube.

  • 2012/11/21The following studies will be presented in the 4th Asia-Pacific Young Water Professionals Conference 2012 (Miraikan, Tokyo, Dec. 7-10, 2012).

    >Academic Session B-6
    Multiple peak expression of enteric virus density in environmental water
    Sano, D., Kato, T., Kobayashi, A., Miura, T. and Okabe, S.

    >Health-Related Water Microbiology Special Session 1
    Bacteroides-Prevotella genetic markers as fecal pollution indicators for microbiologically safe water management
    Kobayashi, A., Sano, D., Ishii, S. and Okabe, S.

    >Health-Related Water Microbiology Special Session 2
    Risk assessment for viral infection via drinking water considering age-dependent susceptibility
    Watanabe, T., Itoh, H., Sano, D. and Okabe, S.

    Conference details are here
    The program of Health-Related Water Microbiology Special Session is here
    FINISHED
  • 2012/11/7Lecture materials for Environmental Biotechnology are posted. >>here
  • 2012/10/1One visiting researcher and three new graduate students have joined.
  • 2012/9/25Ms. Hara was honored (Encouraging Award) in SETAC AP2012 Meeting KUMAMOTO. Congratulations!!!
  • 2012/9/21The following studies will be presented in the 3rd Food and Environmental Virology Conference (Lisbon, Oct. 7-10, 2012).

    Infectivity of gastroenteritis viruses analyzed by oxidative stress marker detection and RNase sensitivity test
    Sano, D., Miura, T., Tojo, K., Otani, M. and Okabe, S.

    Enteric bacteria bearing histo-blood group antigen-like extracellular polymeric substances as environmental vehicles for human noroviruses
    Miura, T., Sano, D., Suenaga, A., Yoshimura, T., Nakagomi, T., Nakagomi, O. and Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2012/9/19Some laboratory members apper on the video introducing English Engineering Education Program, Hokkaido University.


  • 2012/9/13The following study will be presented in IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition (Busan, Sep. 16-21, 2012).

    FISH case study
    Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2012/9/13The following study will be presented in IWA Nutrient Removal and Recovery 2012 (Harbin, Sep. 23-25, 2012).

    >Keynote Speech
    N2O emission from a partial nitrification-anammox process
    Okabe, S.

    >Poster presentation
    Elucidating the ecophysiology of an anammox bacterium, Candidatus ‘Brocadia sinica’, by metagenomic approach
    Oshiki, M., Shinyako, K., Satoh, H., and Okabe, S.

    FINISHED
  • 2012/8/19Ms. Hiraizumi was honored (Travel Award) in ISME14. Congratulations!!!
  • 2012/7/26Dr. Takayuki Miura (JSPS Research Fellow) left for Microbiology Laboratory, IFREMER, France.
  • 2012/7/13The following study will be presented in ISME14 (Copenhagen, Aug. 19-24, 2012).

    Physiological characteristics of marine anammox bacteria enriched from sea sediments, Hiroshima, Japan
    Awata, T., Kindaichi, T., Ozaki, N., Ohashi, A., Oshiki, M., and Okabe, S.
    Poster presentation

    Meta-genomic analysis for the elucidation of physiology of an anammox bacterium, Candidatus 'Brocadia sinica'
    Mamoru Oshiki, Kaori Shinyako, Hisashi Satoh and Satoshi Okabe
    Poster presentation

    Reduction of folate synthesis represses biofilm formation by decreasing curli fimbriae synthesis in Escherichia coli
    Yosuke Tashiro and Satoshi Okabe
    Poster presentation

    Cell density-dependent anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) activity of Candidatus 'Brocadia sinica'
    Haruna Hiraizumi (The ISME Travel Award winner), Mamoru Oshiki, and Satoshi Okabe
    Poster presentation

    FINISHED
  • 2012/7/3Special seminar will be held on July 13.

    「Implication of Microbial Community Structrues in Water Quality
    and Biogeochemical N Cycle」
    Venue:A101, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
    Time:10:00-11:00
    Lecturer:Dr. Bongkuen Song (University of North Carolina at Wilmington, NC, USA)
    ▲Click to download

    FINISHED
  • 2012/6/11Viral Gastroenteritis Seminar in Sapporo will be held as follow:

    Viral Gastroenteritis Seminar in Sapporo
    Venue: KEIO PLAZA HOTEL SAPPORO, 3F
    Date and time: 18:00 - 20:00, June 20th
    Lectures: Prof. M. K. Estes (Baylor College of Medicine, USA)
    Dr. F. S. Le Guyader (IFREMER, France)

    FINISHED
  • 2012/5/28The following study will be presented in ASM General Meeting (San Francisco, June 16-19, 2012).

    Localization and global gene expression during filamentous bacteriophage biofilm infection
    Thithiwat May and Satoshi Okabe
    Poster presentation

    Colanic acid production decreases bacterial attachment on membranes
    Keitaro Yoshida, Yosuke Tashiro, Thithiwat May and Satoshi Okabe
    Poster presentation
    ASM General Meeting, San Francisco, June 16-19, 2012.

    FINISHED
  • 2012/5/25The following study will be presented in Europic2012 (Saint Raphael, June 3-7, 2012).

    Transcriptome analysis of intestinal epithelial cells infected with poliovirus type 1
    Megumi Tazawa, Takayuki Miura, Daisuke Sano and Satoshi Okabe
    Europic 2012 at Saint Raphael, June 3-7, 2012.

    FINISHED

Message from Prof. Okabe

Our Environmental Biotechnology group in Graduate School of Engineering at Hokkaido University mainly focuses on complex microbial ecosystems in wastewater treatments and microbial energy productions, including an anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (Anammox) process and microbial fuel cells (please visit our "Research activity" on this home page). We are also developing a novel bioassay to evaluate the water safety by using DNA microarray technology (i.e., Toxicogenomics). The primary goal of our research and education program is to train students to use interdisciplinary approaches in the study of environmental biotechnology that lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of our environment and human health. I strongly encourage interested students to contact us if you are interested in working and studying with us. Our Graduate School of Engineering offers the English Engineering Education Program or the e3 program (http://www.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/e3/), in which MEXT scholarships are available.

Offering for Ph.D. candidate scholarships

The laboratory for water quality control engineering has an opening for Ph.D. candidate scholarships. This laboratory has focused on safe and efficient usage of water resources, complex microbial ecosystems in wastewater treatment, and microbial energy production. Among them, followings will be the main topics for new members.

1. Development of a novel bioassay to evaluate the water safety by using DNA microarray technology
2. Elucidation of the biofilm formation mechanisms in water environment
3. Microbial source tracking with high accuracy by using multiple indicators
4. Fate of pathogenic viruses in water environment

Please contact the following e-mail address if you are interested in working with us.

Prof. Satoshi Okabe
sokabe@eng.hokudai.ac.jp

Movie

March 7, 2013
Colors of HOKUDAI for a year -produced by Hokkaido University, CoSTEP

▲Click Start

最近の学会発表
Awards

Mar 25, 2013
Mr. Mizuto received the Clark Award of Hokkaido University, a prize awarded to students who had an excellent record in the undergraduate course.

Dec 27, 2012
Mr. Nakashima and Mr. Ozawa were honored (runner-up and third place, respectively) in the mid-term research presentation contest 2012 of Water-related laboratories.

Nov 30, 2012
Ms. Tazawa was honored (Excellent Poster Award) in the 49th Environmental Engineering Research Forum

Sep 25, 2012
Ms. Hara was honored (Encouraging Award) in SETAC AP2012 Meeting KUMAMOTO.

Aug 19, 2012
Ms. Hiraizumi received the Travel Award in ISME14.

Mar 21, 2012
Ms. Otani received the Clark Award of Hokkaido University, a prize awarded to students who had an excellent record in the undergraduate course.

Mar 15, 2012
Ms. Hiraizumi was honored (Kurita Award) in the 46th Annual Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment

Mar 15, 2012
Mr. Ishiguro and Mr. Nakashima were honored (Lion Award) in the 46th Annual Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment

Dec 27, 2011
Ms. Tazawa and Mr. Eida were honored (most excellent award and runner-up, respectively) in the mid-term research presentation contest 2011 of Water-related laboratories.

Nov 7, 2011
Ms. Tazawa was honored in the 3rd Student Poster Competition in Sustainability Week 2011, Hokkaido University.

Oct 10, 2011
Dr. Tashiro was honored (Excellent Paper Award) in the 27th annual meeting of the Japan Society of Microbial Ecology.

Oct 10, 2011
Dr. Oshiki was honored (Excellent Poster Award) in the 27th annual meeting of the Japan Society of Microbial Ecology.

Oct 5, 2011
Mr. Tojo was honored (Best Student Award) in the 4th IWA-ASPIRE

Sep 10, 2011
Assoc. Prof. Sano was honored (Metawater Award) in the 14th Symposium of Japan Society on Water Environment

Jul 13, 2011
Dr. Oshiki was honored (Presentation award) in the 2nd International Conference on Nitrification (ICoN2) and the 16th European Nitrogen Cycle meeting

Jun 14, 2011
Mr. Kakinuma, Ms. Shinyako and Mr. Fujiki were honored (Kurita Award) in the 45th Annual Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment

Jun 14, 2011
Mr. Eida and Ms. Yamada were honored (Lion Award) in the 45th Annual Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment

May 20, 2011
Dr. Oshiki was honored (Best presentation award) in the First International Anammox Symposium (IANAS2011)

Dec 27, 2010
Mr. Tsuruta was honored (runner-up) in the mid-term research presentation contest 2010 of Water-related laboratories in Environmental Engineering Division

Nov 25, 2010
Ms. Shinyako (The most excellent poster award) and Mr. Eida (Japan-Korea Poster award) were honored in the 26th annual meeting of Japan Society of Microbial Ecology

Mar 18, 2009
Mr. Haroti was honored (Kurita Award) in the 43th Annual Conference of Janan Society on Water Environment

Mar 22, 2008
Mr. Osawa and Mr. Shimokawa were honored (Kurita Award) in the 42th Annual Conference of Janan Society on Water Environment

Dec 25, 2007
Prof. Okabe was awarded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

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